Durham police investigate if double fatal crash was high-speed chase
DURHAM (WTVD) -- After a tragic crash involving law enforcement officers in Durham Friday that killed an innocent driver, there are questions about whether or not it was a high-speed chase.
Investigators said 52-year-old Angel Luis Santana was wanted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, and Durham police officers were asked to make a drug-related traffic stop.
"For some reason, Mr. Santana chose not to stop and he fled and as a result, you have an innocent individual that lost their life," said State Highway Patrol Lt. Jeff Gordon.
The Highway Patrol reconstructed the wreck. They said it appears Santana was driving at least 120 miles an hour north on Patterson Road near N.C. Highway 98.
Tamara White, 55, of Raleigh, was headed south. Santana crossed the center line striking her vehicle head on.
"When you have a motor vehicle that weighs approximately 4,000 pounds, and you're traveling that rate of speed, the consequences and the outcomes are going to be tragic whether you have your seatbelt on or not," said Gordon. "In this case, unfortunately, you had an innocent bystander that was traveling in the opposite direction and was hit head on."
Durham police declined ABC11's request for an on-camera interview but insist the officer that stopped Santana did not give chase.
According to the department's vehicle pursuit policy, the department will now conduct a "vehicle refusal to stop" investigation, which is standard procedure when a suspect won't stop and a pursuit is not authorized.
ABC11 has also learned Santana was facing at least two traffic violations. He had two pending court appearances for speeding in Guilford County and one for driving with a revoked license in Durham.
Those are just some of many reasons he may have fled the scene, claiming an innocent life and his own.
"Some people get a little scared," said Gordon. "They get a little nervous. It's not worth not stopping."
More could be learned about the crash Tuesday when Durham police say they will release the radio communication between officers during that traffic stop.
